bordeaux-style-wines
2020 Cuda Ridge Wines Cabernet Franc – A Very Smooth Enjoyable Wine
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
The Cabernet Franc is part of Larry Dino’s (winemaker/owner) Bordeaux Collection. This 2020 Cabernet Franc showed some “old world characteristics” as well as unique Livermore Valley traits.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The coloring of this wine was dark and alluring with a medium heavy viscosity. On the nose, blueberry, cherry, and a hint of plum and floral notes abounded. On the palate, this mellow Cabernet Franc tannins were subdued with roundness. In the mouth, the blueberries and dark cherry were prominent along with a modicum of black pepper and sage qualities. Soft leather, a dry rockiness and sweet pipe tobacco lingered to make the finish long lasting and inquisitive. A particularly good wine to drink with food or smooth enough to enjoy by itself. It originally sold for $41/bottle. This wine came in at 14.2% alcohol.
Subsequent Cabernet Franc wines by Cuda Ridge Wines have won Gold and Double Gold awards. Today’s current vintage is 2022 and received 91 points from Wine Enthusiast and sells for $45/bottle.
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
There is a lot to be said about Cuda Ridge Wines. A key point is that they produce a full range of Bordeaux style wines. The Cuda Ridge Wines tasting room is located at 2400 Arroyo Road in Livermore, California. Cuda Ridge Wines’ current production is approximately 2100 cases. They produce the following Bordeaux varietals: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and most recently their addition of Carménère. Always experimenting, Larry Dino owner & winemaker has produced non-Bordeaux style wines which are designated under their Black label, these wines include Sangiovese, New-World style Cabernet Sauvignon and others. Each varietal produced are small lots ranging from one hundred to 450 cases. Cuda Ridge does extensive blending of varietals and strives for lower alcohol wines with intense complexity and character, traditional of the Bordeaux style wines.
Sláinte,
Michael